Maybe
Disclaimer: Nothing besides the story idea belongs to me, and this was written for entertainment purposes only.
Rating: K+
Authors Note: Thanks so much to those who read and reviewed! Here is the next update.
Authors Note 2: All I can say is that I'm glad I can actually write this story at Christmas, instead of in the middle of the year.
This chapter is the same day as the chapter before, only later in the evening. (Just in case that wasn't clear).
Oh! Sorry for another short chapter but I hope you'll enjoy it anyway.
&&&
Chapter 2
Jennifer hit the automatic door lock for her car, and shifted her packages in her arms. The mall had been busy, but she had managed to get most of her shopping done that night before the mall closed.
She made her way across the parking lot and struggled to get her keys out of her coat pocket.
Jennifer opened the door to the building and closed it behind her; she shivered and was thankful for the warmth of the building. She pressed the button for the elevator and waited for it to arrive; Jennifer rushed inside and pushed the number of her floor.
When she finally made it inside her apartment she deposited her gifts on her couch and stretched her arms, then she took off her hat and took the pins out of her hair, pulling it free from its braid. Jennifer ran her fingers through her hair and sighed.
She heard a beep from behind her and looked over to her answering machine. She walked over and pressed the receive messages button.
"Jennifer? Hey it's Mattie," Jennifer grinned, "why haven't you called me? Just because I moved out doesn't mean I'm dead, besides I thought we were going to go to the movies this Saturday? Anyway, I'm late for school so I have to keep this short but Harm told me about the Christmas party, so I will see you tonight. Bye… and I miss you. Bye again, Bye."
Jennifer grinned happily and bit her thumb, it was just like Mattie to be honest and Jennifer felt ashamed that she hadn't called Mattie as much as she should have.
Besides she did want to see that movie and there was no way that she would be seeing another horror movie like the last time.
Jennifer clicked on the television and went into her room to get ready.
&&&
Jennifer heard the doorbell ring just as she applied the final coat of nail polish to her toes.
"Just a minute, sir!" She cried. She struggled to get her left foot into her sandals without smudging her polish. Her heels were black and strappy, with a clasp that closed around the ankle. She pushed herself to her feet and rushed out of the bathroom; she grabbed her coat and slipped it on. She wondered if her dress was too casual, she rarely got a chance to dress up so her definition of formal might be different than someone else's.
She unlocked her front door and pulled it open.
"Hello sir!" Jennifer exclaimed.
"Jen," Harm said making a face, "it's Christmas."
"Yes sir," Jennifer replied, then it clicked in her mind, "oh sorry—it's just habit."
"Are you ready?" Harm asked.
"With bells on…" Jennifer paused, "oh no!" She flung her purse at Harm who just managed to catch it. "I almost forgot the Admiral's present!" She ran into her apartment, she hurried into the living room, the toe of her heel caught on the edge of the rug and she pitched forward. She managed to catch herself and snatched her Secret Santa gift out from under her small, fake Christmas tree.
"All right," she said running back to the front door. She was panting and braced her left hand on the door frame. "Now I'm ready."
Harm only laughed and handed Jennifer back her purse. She locked her apartment and then turned back to the Commander. He proffered his arm and Jennifer took it. They were going together to the party and Jennifer couldn't help but to notice how smart Harm looked in his dress uniform.
"You look dapper," Jennifer said patting Harm's arm.
"Thank you Jennifer," Harm replied, his eyes brightening at the complement. He paused in the hall to look Jennifer over. "You look lovely."
Jen couldn't help but to blush and just then the elevator door opened revealing an older woman waiting in the elevator and she smiled as Jennifer walked in, her smile widened when Harm followed behind her.
"Well!" The woman said, "Aren't you both looking nice?"
The Apartment building that Harm and Jen lived in was a small complex, so it wasn't difficult to get to know the neighbours. The woman in the elevator was Mrs. Garber from apartment 205. She was a retired and lived with her husband. She was nice enough but had a love for gossip—especially building gossip.
"I'm just off to my daughter-in-law's, Henry will be following after he leaves the office. Are you two going out?" She asked.
"Oh, we're just going to a Christmas party." Jennifer replied.
"Oh, well you two have fun," Mrs. Garber said, a small smile crossing her lips. Imagine the look on Henry's face when he heard that the little Navy Girl from apartment 201 was seeing the Hunk from 203! The elevator reached the main floor and Mrs. Garber left first, patting Harm on the arm, then she turned and shot Jennifer a very approving look. She looked pointedly at Harm again then left.
Jennifer's face flushed with embarrassment, "we're just going together!" She yelled at the Mrs. Garber's back, "Because it's convenient!" Mrs. Garber gave Jennifer a wave before she exited the front door.
"So now I'm just convenient?" Harm demanded, in a mock insulted tone.
"No offense Harm," Jennifer said, "but by next week everyone in the building is going to be asking if we've set a date." She rolled her eyes and followed Harm out the front door.
"Mattie told me she was coming tonight," Jennifer said as she and Harm deposited their gifts in the backseat.
"She's hopefully going to get there around eight." Harm said with a grin.
The drive to the Admiral's house was not a long drive but Jennifer still had enough time to get nervous butterflies in her stomach.
Jen fiddling with the heat vent as Harm hit the button to scan through the radio station. He settled on a familiar station, the same one Jennifer had been forced to listen to all afternoon the day before.
"And now," the announcer's loud voice jumped from the speakers, "time for a classic!"
Jennifer rolled her eyes, as far as she was concerned, a Christmas tune from 1997 was not a classic. She was pleased however when she heard the opening chord to Frank Sinatra's, I'll Be Home for Christmas. Jen heard Harm clear his throat,
"I'll be home for Christmas," Harm began in his normal baritone voice; Jennifer licked her lips and glanced out the window.
Harm had noticed how faded Jennifer had looked over the weeks since Mattie moved out with her Dad. Harm knew there was more too it, but he didn't want to press, instead he cleared his voice for a second time and Jennifer looked at him expecting him to say something.
"Christmas Eve will find me," he sang, drawing the syllable out of the word me, he gave her a pointed look. Jennifer rolled her eyes, "where the love light gleams—" Harm purposely made his voice crack on the last word, hoping for a smirk.
"I'm just getting started Petty Officer," Harm quipped, "now get singing – and that's an order!"
Jennifer's lips twitched, and finally she laughed. She knew Harm was trying to cheer her up and she appreciated it, she took a deep breath and joined in with the commander on the third verse.
When they finally turned onto the Admiral's street, the song had just reached the final chorus.
"I'll be home," Jennifer sang with gusto, "if only in my—" as they reached the driveway in front of the Admiral's residence the song died on Jennifer's lips.
She saw a familiar car sitting in the driveway and the Admiral was shaking hands with a very familiar Petty Officer on the front steps, Harriet was standing with them, and she was still in her coat so her and Bud must have just arrived.
"Dreams!" Harm finished in a loud forced vibrato, not noticing that Jennifer had gone silent. He glanced over at her, and he saw her looking out the window, her same somber look from before had returned.
"No one told me he was coming."
"Who?" Harm asked, he didn't miss the thickness of Jennifer's voice.
"Tiner."
&&&
I know I haven't really explained much about Jennifer and Jason's past but don't worry, that is coming up! Oh and sorry for another question but does anyone have an idea where Tiner was transferred?
Thanks and please review and let me know what you think!
